diff --git a/library/Library.csproj b/library/Library.csproj
index d2f6609d..b19564f8 100644
--- a/library/Library.csproj
+++ b/library/Library.csproj
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@
     <Compile Include="Support\TrendyPhrase4.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Support\TrendyPhrase5.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Support\TrendyPhraseBase.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="Support\ValidationSummary.cs" />
   </ItemGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
     <None Include="app.config" />
diff --git a/library/Structures/GtsRecord4.cs b/library/Structures/GtsRecord4.cs
index b1f80bdd..e10865b8 100644
--- a/library/Structures/GtsRecord4.cs
+++ b/library/Structures/GtsRecord4.cs
@@ -195,44 +195,6 @@ namespace PkmnFoundations.Structures
         {
             if (!base.Validate()) return false;
 
-            // todo: these checks belong on the pokemon class based on database fields.
-            var thePokemon = (PokemonParty4)Pokemon;
-
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID < 1 || thePokemon.SpeciesID > 493) return false;
-
-            try
-            {
-                if (thePokemon.Form == null) return false;
-            }
-            catch (KeyNotFoundException)
-            {
-                return false; // form not in pokedex
-            }
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 479 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // rotoms
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 487 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // origin giratina
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 492 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // sky shaymin
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "spiky-eared") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "fairy") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-x") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-y") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "primal") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 25 && thePokemon.FormID > 0) return false; // cosplay pikachu
-
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID < 0) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 112 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 134) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 428) return false;
-
-            if (thePokemon.AbilityID <= 0) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.AbilityID > 123) return false;
-
-            foreach (MoveSlot move in thePokemon.Moves)
-            {
-                if (move.MoveID < 0) return false;
-                if (move.MoveID == 165) return false; // struggle
-                if (move.MoveID > 467) return false;
-            }
-
             return true;
         }
 
diff --git a/library/Structures/GtsRecord5.cs b/library/Structures/GtsRecord5.cs
index 4013c7ae..906acda3 100644
--- a/library/Structures/GtsRecord5.cs
+++ b/library/Structures/GtsRecord5.cs
@@ -202,52 +202,6 @@ namespace PkmnFoundations.Structures
         {
             if (!base.Validate()) return false;
 
-            // todo: these checks belong on the pokemon class based on database fields.
-            var thePokemon = (PokemonParty5)Pokemon;
-
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID < 1 || thePokemon.SpeciesID > 649) return false;
-
-            try
-            {
-                if (thePokemon.Form == null) return false;
-            }
-            catch (KeyNotFoundException)
-            {
-                return false; // form not in pokedex
-            }
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 641 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // therian tornadus
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 642 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // therian thundrus
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 645 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // therian landorus
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 646 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // black/white kyurem
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 647 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return false; // resolute keldeo
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "spiky-eared") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "fairy") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-x") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-y") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "primal") return false;
-            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 25 && thePokemon.FormID > 0) return false; // cosplay pikachu
-
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID < 0) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 113 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 115) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 120 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 133) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 328 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 503) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 505 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 536) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID == 574) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID == 576) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 578 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 579) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 592) return false;
-
-            if (thePokemon.AbilityID <= 0) return false;
-            if (thePokemon.AbilityID > 164) return false;
-
-            foreach (MoveSlot move in thePokemon.Moves)
-            {
-                if (move.MoveID < 0) return false;
-                if (move.MoveID == 165) return false; // struggle
-                if (move.MoveID > 559) return false;
-            }
-
             return true;
         }
 
diff --git a/library/Structures/GtsRecordBase.cs b/library/Structures/GtsRecordBase.cs
index b05e7545..72be82bb 100644
--- a/library/Structures/GtsRecordBase.cs
+++ b/library/Structures/GtsRecordBase.cs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-using System;
+using PkmnFoundations.Support;
+using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Text;
@@ -103,6 +104,9 @@ namespace PkmnFoundations.Structures
             if (thePokemon.Level > 100) return false;
             if (thePokemon.EVs.ToArray().Select(i => (int)i).Sum() > 510) return false;
 
+            ValidationSummary summary = Pokemon.Validate();
+            if (!summary.IsValid) return false;
+
             return true;
         }
 
diff --git a/library/Structures/Pokemon4.cs b/library/Structures/Pokemon4.cs
index 1749abc9..2ff17ce9 100644
--- a/library/Structures/Pokemon4.cs
+++ b/library/Structures/Pokemon4.cs
@@ -311,5 +311,45 @@ namespace PkmnFoundations.Structures
         {
             get { return 136; }
         }
+
+        public static ValidationSummary ValidateActual(PokemonBase thePokemon)
+        {
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID < 1 || thePokemon.SpeciesID > 493) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+
+            try
+            {
+                if (thePokemon.Form == null) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            }
+            catch (KeyNotFoundException)
+            {
+                return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // form not in pokedex
+            }
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 479 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // rotoms
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 487 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // origin giratina
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 492 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // sky shaymin
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "spiky-eared") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "fairy") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-x") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-y") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "primal") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 25 && thePokemon.FormID > 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // cosplay pikachu
+
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID < 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 112 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 134) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 428) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+
+            if (thePokemon.AbilityID <= 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.AbilityID > 123) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+
+            foreach (MoveSlot move in thePokemon.Moves)
+            {
+                if (move.MoveID < 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+                if (move.MoveID == 165) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // struggle
+                if (move.MoveID > 467) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            }
+
+            return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = true };
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/library/Structures/Pokemon5.cs b/library/Structures/Pokemon5.cs
index 33a43490..e638e1e6 100644
--- a/library/Structures/Pokemon5.cs
+++ b/library/Structures/Pokemon5.cs
@@ -294,5 +294,53 @@ namespace PkmnFoundations.Structures
         {
             get { return 136; }
         }
+
+        public static ValidationSummary ValidateActual(PokemonBase thePokemon)
+        {
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID < 1 || thePokemon.SpeciesID > 649) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+
+            try
+            {
+                if (thePokemon.Form == null) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            }
+            catch (KeyNotFoundException)
+            {
+                return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // form not in pokedex
+            }
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 641 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // therian tornadus
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 642 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // therian thundrus
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 645 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // therian landorus
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 646 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // black/white kyurem
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 647 && thePokemon.FormID != 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // resolute keldeo
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "spiky-eared") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "fairy") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-x") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "mega-y") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.Form.Suffix == "primal") return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.SpeciesID == 25 && thePokemon.FormID > 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // cosplay pikachu
+
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID < 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 113 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 115) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 120 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 133) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 328 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 503) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 505 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 536) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID == 574) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID == 576) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 578 && thePokemon.HeldItemID <= 579) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.HeldItemID >= 592) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+
+            if (thePokemon.AbilityID <= 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            if (thePokemon.AbilityID > 164) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+
+            foreach (MoveSlot move in thePokemon.Moves)
+            {
+                if (move.MoveID < 0) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+                if (move.MoveID == 165) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false }; // struggle
+                if (move.MoveID > 559) return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = false };
+            }
+
+            return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = true };
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/library/Structures/PokemonBase.cs b/library/Structures/PokemonBase.cs
index 5054482b..63c4a363 100644
--- a/library/Structures/PokemonBase.cs
+++ b/library/Structures/PokemonBase.cs
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ namespace PkmnFoundations.Structures
                 throw new NotSupportedException();
             }
         }
-        public abstract String Nickname { get; set; }
+        public abstract string Nickname { get; set; }
 
         public virtual bool IsShiny
         {
@@ -178,6 +178,24 @@ namespace PkmnFoundations.Structures
             }
         }
 
+        public virtual ValidationSummary Validate()
+        {
+            // xxx: this is another one of those inheritance diamond things.
+            // Since we specialize by generation after specializing by
+            // structure type, we have to roll our own vtable here to be able
+            // to have generation-specific validation in each inheritance
+            // branch.
+            switch (this.Generation)
+            {
+                case Generations.Generation4:
+                    return Pokemon4.ValidateActual(this);
+                case Generations.Generation5:
+                    return Pokemon5.ValidateActual(this);
+                default:
+                    return new ValidationSummary() { IsValid = true };
+            }
+        }
+
         protected static List<int> BlockScramble(uint personality)
         {
             int x = 4; // todo: this can be an argument but YAGNI
diff --git a/library/Support/ValidationSummary.cs b/library/Support/ValidationSummary.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3fb6e4df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/library/Support/ValidationSummary.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+using System;
+using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.Linq;
+using System.Text;
+
+namespace PkmnFoundations.Support
+{
+    public struct ValidationSummary
+    {
+        public bool IsValid { get; set; }
+    }
+}